Complicated Accident Case Nets Injured Victim $385,000 Settlement

 Posted on February 27, 2017 in Car Accident Lawyer

In many car accident cases, it is very clear that the victim was injured solely as the result of the accident. Prior to the crash, the person was physically healthy, but following the collision, the individual may have broken bones, head injuries, or a variety of other problems. Sometimes, however, the extent of damage caused by the accident can be rather unclear, especially if the victim suffered from preexisting physical health issues. When this is the case, securing fair compensation may require meticulous research and preparation by an experienced personal injury lawyer as well as medical notes and testimony from doctors or surgeons.

Ashford Woman Involved in Multiple Accidents

In May 2013, a 34-year-old woman from Ashford, Connecticut was seriously hurt when her van was hit from behind by a driver in a company-owned vehicle. According to court records, the woman suffered injuries to her lumbar region, which caused lingering pain to radiate into her legs and feet. She also incurred injuries to her neck, left elbow, and left shoulder, but the focus of her claim was her back. Her condition was ultimately treated with lumbar spinal fusion surgery in June 2015, more than two years after the accident.

While the cause of such injuries may be very clear in some cases, that was not the case in this situation. The woman’s attorney indicated that her case was more complicated for several reasons. First, the woman had pre-existing back problems that dated back to before the 2013 accident. In addition—though less of a factor—the woman was also involved in another in 2014, after the crash in question but prior to her surgery.

Medical Testimony

The women’s case was slated to go to trial in January of next year, but both sides agreed to give mediation a chance. Counsel for the injured woman presented statements from her neurosurgeon indicating that the surgery was required due to injuries related to the initial accident, not her pre-existing conditions or the second crash. Following a three-hour mediation session, a settlement was reached and presented to a judge in Waterbury Superior Court. The settlement awarded the woman $385,000 which is expected to be paid soon by the insurer of the company who owned the at-fault vehicle.

Making Sense of Complex Cases

If you have been injured in a car accident and are having trouble getting the compensation you need to put your life back on track, we can help. Contact an experienced Connecticut personal injury lawyer to discuss your case. We will assist you in building a case that will allow you to pursue the damages to which the law says you are entitled. Call 860-290-8690 for a free, confidential consultation today.

Sources:

http://www.ctlawtribune.com/id=1202776638054/Woman-Injured-in-Car-Accident-Gets-385000-After-Mediation

http://www.chiropractic-biophysics.com/clinical_chiropractic/2010/1/14/pre-existing-injuries-and-why-they-increase-the-value-of-an.html